Hi, my name's Maria and I've been paper-crafting for several years. It all started with a few stamps, but with the addition of my Cricut, Cuttlebug and various other toys, my hobby has grown to a full time obsession!

Welcome

I created this blog as a way to keep up with my work as well as share it with others. I hope you enjoy it and feel free to use some of my ideas for your own creations, I just ask that you not use them for publications, contests or submissions. Also, I do not work for, nor am I compensated in any way by the companies whose products I use and mention. Thank you and I hope you come visit again soon.

Monday, February 27, 2012

About a month ago I bought a new die cut machine, the Silhouette Cameo. I'd become intrigued with the many projects I was seeing using SVG files and started thinking seriously about expanding my abilities beyond what I could do with the Cricut. After reading lots of good reviews on the Cameo I decided to take the plunge and buy one. There has been a bit of a learning curve for me with the software, but I am figuring things out and the more I use it, the more I like it. And it seems like everyday I learn of a new site to go to for files, a lot of them for free.
So, here is one of my first projects, a charger plate from Michael's that I decorated with vinyl. The cuts are from Kim Bright at Creative Bling.

The Cameo cut the vinyl beautifully, even the small delicate pieces. I also added some yellow jewels to the flower centers. Gotta say, I'm really happy with this one!

In case you're wondering, no, I'm not giving up the Cricut. At this point I have way to much invested in it to do that, and besides, I like using the Gypsy to create and don't think I could give it up. I will say that I have become disenchanted with PC as a whole though and am especially unhappy with the lack of quality control in their products these last couple of years. My Imagine sits here unused because I am constantly fighting with calibration issues and it's just so frustrating that I'd rather not use it than try to deal with it. Sad, because I really enjoyed using it when it worked right.
Anyway, just wanted to share my latest creation with my new machine. Hope you enjoy.
Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What can I say, I really like working heat transfer vinyl! This time I made a onsie for a friend's newborn baby boy.

I saw this on a shirt in an online catalog and decided I had to use it. The Texas shape and word are from 50 States and the font is Mickey Font. If you haven't given HTV a try, you should. It's so fast and easy.
Both my daughters loved this design, so I guess I'll be making one for each of my grandsons too. Sorry about the picture. Another one of those times when I almost forgot to take a pic until I was wrapping it.
Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Let me start this post with a disclaimer. If you don't care for raunchy humor, you probably won't like the sentiment I put on the inside of this card.
I made this for one of our best friends who is going to celebrate a big birthday soon. I know he'll appreciate it, because I'm pretty sure it's how he feels!

My thought was to create an elegant looking card on the outside so that he would be that much more surprised when he opens it and reads it. The papers are from a Recollections stack called Regent Street and I like the classic look they have. The numbers and letters are from Billionaire and I used the Gypsy to weld the letters. The stopwatch is from Old West and the top note shape is from Art Philosophy. I added ribbon and a small buckle from my stash to complete the card.
And here's the inside sentiment:

It's really not too bad, but I know not everyone appreciates this type of humor. I can't wait to see my friend's face when he reads it, I know he'll get a kick out of it. The sentiment isn't my original idea, I actually saw it on a card I found online. It was just too perfect not to use!
Thanks for stopping by!